Mozilla Developers Remove Critical Bugs
The Mozilla Foundation has removed at least ten vulnerabilities from its browser, three of which were classified as critical by the developers.
One of the critical bugs gave attackers the ability to execute Javascript with chrome privileges. The bug report MFSA 2008-03 also mentions a vulnerability in the "XMLDocument.load" function which could be exploited to inject Javascript into a frame outside the original frame and thus work around the browser's same origin policy.
The Mozilla developers discovered various bugs in the Mozilla Browser Engine; although they are not described in more detail it is understood that they were capable of crashing the browser and thus giving attackers the ability to inject and execute malicious code. The bug described in MFSA 2008-01 also affects the Thunderbird mail client. The next version of Thunderbird will include a fix.
The third critical vulnerability, MFSA 2008-06, gave attackers the ability to parse the browser history via a "designMode" frame on a manipulated website. The attack could crash the browser thus giving attackers the ability to inject malicious code. MFSA 2008-10 desccribes another vulnerability caused by Javascript which allowed for URL hijacking using the "302 Redirect" function in HTML code.
The vulnerabilities described here can be avoided by temporarily disabling Javascript. The Mozilla Foundation's Security page describes these bugs and other security-relevant issues. Besides the Firefox browser, Seamonkey and Camino are affected. An updated version of Firefox (version 2.0.12) is available from the Mozilla servers. Distributors are likely to release updated packages in the next few days. Version 1.1.8 of the Seamonkey browser suite is also available for downloading.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
-
Valve and Arch Linux Announce Collaboration
Valve and Arch have come together for two projects that will have a serious impact on the Linux distribution.
-
Hacker Successfully Runs Linux on a CPU from the Early ‘70s
From the office of "Look what I can do," Dmitry Grinberg was able to get Linux running on a processor that was created in 1971.
-
OSI and LPI Form Strategic Alliance
With a goal of strengthening Linux and open source communities, this new alliance aims to nurture the growth of more highly skilled professionals.